The GEORGE M. LOW (1926-1984) PAPERS, 1930-1984, are composed of manuscripts, books and artifacts documenting the personal and professional activities of George M. Low (1926-1984) (GML), an influential aeronautics and aerospace engineer, federal agency manager, and university president. The collection briefly documents GML's education at RPI and his early professional experience at NACA's Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory. Although GML's work at NASA in the 1950s and early 1960s is not significantly documented here, the collection reflects in detail three of his later positions at the agency. These prove to be key positions in relation to the development and fulfillment of NASA's objectives, and the George M. Low Papers provide fascinating glimpses into the inner workings of the agency at a time of enormous productivity and change. The collection also contains personal papers from GML's creative tenure as RPI's 14th President. The Papers are divided into eight series: PERSONAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL PAPERS (1.3 cubic feet), RPI STUDENT PAPERS (1.6 cubic feet), LEWIS FLIGHT PROPULSION LABORATORY PAPERS (2.2 cubic feet), NASA PAPERS (53 cubic feet), LATER NASA PAPERS (2.3 cubic feet), PERSONAL RPI PRESIDENTIAL PAPERS (2.2 cubic feet), LIBRARY (10 cubic feet), and ARTIFACTS (20.4 cubic feet).

Series I, PERSONAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL PAPERS (Boxes 1-3)

PERSONAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL PAPERS, 1930-1984, contain biographical materials collected by the RPI Archives and GML, and a small array of personal papers. The personal materials, which provide brief glimpses of GML's homelife, friendships and extra-career interests, include correspondence files, and miscellaneous papers. Correspondence files contain letters from friends and colleagues, including individuals who knew the Low family in Austria. Among the alphabetically arranged miscellaneous materials are files pertaining to GML's hobbies, such as scuba diving and running, and correspondence and notes regarding his job search in 1975-1976. Additional correspondence relating to GML's job search may be found in NASA Sensitive Chronological Files and Personal Notes.

Series II, RPI STUDENT PAPERS (Boxes 4-7)

RPI STUDENT PAPERS are divided into chronologically arranged course files, theses, and miscellaneous papers which reflect GML's undergraduate and graduate education at RPI, 1943-1950. The course files, which represent only a portion of GML's academic schedule, contain class notes, laboratories, exams, etc. from aeronautics and mathematics classes. This series also contains both GML's bachelor's and master's theses, as well as such miscellaneous material as a Delta Phi fraternity group photograph. Annotated books from GML's student years are located in Series VII LIBRARY.

Series III, LEWIS FLIGHT PROPULSION LABORATORY PAPERS (Boxes 7-12)

LEWIS FLIGHT PROPULSION LABORATORY PAPERS, 1950-1959, briefly document GML's productive work at the NACA laboratory. The Papers are divided into GML's publications and reports, files from courses taught and attended, and miscellaneous notes and collected materials. In addition to a complete collection of his NACA Technical Notes, the chronologically arranged publications and reports include papers regarding GML's investigations into early space technology problems, and planning reports for NASA facilities. Course files have been divided into courses taught and courses attended, each section being organized chronologically. Of interest among these lecture synopses and notes are a series of 30 lectures on space technology by the top scientists and engineers of 1958. Later lectures on space technology are included in NASA Miscellaneous Papers. The Lewis Miscellaneous Papers are divided into notes relating to GML's work in aerospace and aeronautics, collected papers documenting early space technology developments, and miscellaneous papers. Personnel information pertaining to GML's NACA years is located in NASA Administrative and General Apollo Files.

Series IV, NASA PAPERS (Boxes 13-138)

NASA PAPERS, 1946-1982, are divided into eleven subseries: A. Correspondence and Memoranda; B. Notes, including handwritten notes and the transcript of GML's dictated diary; C. Subject Files, containing both administrative and flight files; D. Meeting Records; E. Calendars; F. Travel Vouchers; G. Tours and Trips; H. Speeches, Statements and Publications; I. Awards, Honors and Ceremonies; J. Collected Materials, including GML's file of the day and photograph files; and K. Miscellaneous Papers. Although the NASA PAPERS focus on GML's positions as Deputy Director of the Manned Spacecraft Center (1964-1967), Manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program Office (ASPO) (1967-1969), and Deputy Administrator of NASA (1969-1976), some small amount of documentation is available for his early years at NASA Headquarters. This documentation includes several subject files, travel vouchers, speeches, awards, collected materials (scrapbooks and photograph files), and miscellaneous files. A portion of the correspondence and subject files of this early period have also been retained by the Federal Records Center in Suitland, MD (see Appendix E).

NASA Correspondence and Memoranda

Subseries A, NASA Correspondence and Memoranda (Boxes 13-60), has been arranged by type of correspondence: Chronological Files, Sensitive Chronological Files, Note File, Apollo Memoranda, Citizens' Correspondence, and Miscellaneous Correspondence. These different kinds of correspondence illustrate the types of information which GML handled and communicated. The Chronological File provides a continuous collection of fairly routine outgoing correspondence from 1964 to 1976. During the Deputy Administrator period, Chronological File correspondents include the NASA Administrator, Headquarters' staff and Center Directors, members of Congress, other governmental agencies, the national and international scientific community, industrial leaders, etc. Correspondence topics focus on the general management of the agency, including: recruitment and staff reductions, the development and management of myriad projects and programs in the areas of manned flight, satellite systems, and advanced aeronautics technology, budget formulation and use, agency goals, objectives and reorganization, and interagency and international cooperation. NASA Sensitive Chronological Files and the Note File augment the Chronological Files of this period. The Chronological Files of the Apollo Spacecraft Program Office Manager contain many more enclosures, such as background correspondence, reports, test results, graphs, briefing charts, meeting notes and minutes. During this period, correspondents include Program Office engineers and scientists, contractors, the NASA Headquarters' Apollo Program Office, the Manned Spacecraft Center director's office, and other NASA centers. These files reflect GML's management of the design, manufacture and testing of spacecraft hardware and systems, and include documentation of such activities as: coordination of changes and procedures, direction of anomaly studies, development and management of Manned Spacecraft Center/contractor relations, coordination of reviews at other sites (principly the Kennedy Space Center and Marshall Space Flight Center), and the forwarding of information to NASA Headquarters. Also included are broader agency and center concerns, such as advanced lunar missions and lunar exploration, the Lunar Receiving Laboratory, and the Manned Spacecraft Center's institutional plan. Supplementing the Chronological Files of this period are NASA Sensitive Chronological Files and the Apollo Memoranda. The Chronological Files of the Deputy Director period appear to have been culled from a larger body of material judging from the small amount of correspondence in this File. Correspondence is primarily with NASA Headquarters and Manned Spacecraft Center offices, and documents such varied concerns as: recruitment and personnel, procurement, contractor management, selection and training of astronauts, management of spacecraft testing, press relations, the transfer of programs to the Manned Spacecraft Center and the Center's role within the agency, the planning and development of such projects as the Lunar Receiving Laboratory, space science experiments, and the Apollo Applications Program, and post-Apollo 204 inspection and review activities. Also included are letters to George Mueller which GML authored for Robert Gilruth.

The Sensitive Chronological Files consist primarily of correspondence and memoranda sent, and memoranda for the record, 1967-1976. Matters recorded in these Files were considered more sensitive at the time of their discussion. During the Deputy Administrator period, correspondents include the NASA Administrator, Associate and Assistant Administrators, Center Directors, members of Congress, and the Office of Management and Budget. The Files provide reviews of current projects and events which GML drew up for the Administrator, records of internal and external meetings and telephone calls, and descriptions of ongoing efforts and strategies in such areas as: recruitment and reorganization, program and project management (including budget, configuration, procurement plans, contractor selection, and anomalies), contractor management, Congressional relations, and interagency and international cooperation. GML's 1975-1976 job search is also documented in the Sensitive Chronological Files of this period. During the Apollo Spacecraft Program Office and transition periods, correspondents include Robert Gilruth, Gen. Samuel Phillips, industrial leaders, and Program Office staff. Correspondence topics include studies of flight, manufacture and hardware anomalies, advanced Apollo missions, the organization, budget, personnel, and inter-center relations of the Manned Spacecraft Center, and agency-wide planning.

The Note File, 1970-1976, contains GML's frank and insightful hand-written notes on in-coming correspondence, reports, drafts, etc. which he received from NASA staff, federal agencies, members of Congress, industry, and scientists. GML's comments or queries on these materials were routed primarily to Assistant and Associate Administrators. The File reflects GML's direction and coordination of NASA Headquarters' ongoing efforts in such areas as: management, personnel, external relations, etc.

The bulk of the Apollo Memoranda, 1967-1969, is composed of a complete set of GML's Apollo Notes for Dr. Gilruth. These Notes, providing a nearly daily record of GML's activities and concerns during his management of the Apollo Spacecraft Program Office, functioned as a direct communication channel to the Manned Spacecraft Center's director, Robert Gilruth. The memoranda and their enclosures discuss contractor negotiations, schedule status, budgetary concerns, Manned Spacecraft Center/Kennedy Space Center relations, and ongoing planning. Also included are descriptions of Configuration Control Board meetings, and discussions and meetings with contractors and others regarding changes in the development, manufacture and testing of hardware, systems and spacecraft. In addition, the Notes record the opinions of GML and others regarding individuals, programs and organizations.

The Citizens'' Correspondence no doubt represents only a portion of the many letters of this type which GML received while at NASA. Arranged alphabetically, it contains a variety of internationally-authored letters, with GML's responses, reflecting popular opinions of NASA's programs.

Miscellaneous Correspondence contains files of correspondence with specific individuals, Cleared Apollo Action Notes, etc. Of interest are the memoranda between GML and NASA Administrator James C. Fletcher, which document the exceptional working relationship of these individuals, and the numerous historical NASA personnel interview transcripts contained in the Robert Sherrod files.

NASA Notes

Subseries B, NASA Notes (Boxes 60-70), is divided into a series of loose-leaf notes and notebooks, 1967-1976, and GML's "Personal Notes," transcribed from the diary entries which he dictated from 1970 to 1976. The nearly complete chronological run of notes and notebooks, with various subject notebooks appended, records GML's attendance at meetings with groups and individuals, provides outlines of his remarks, and reflects his preliminary ideas and strategies for dealing with current problems and issues. Notes from the Deputy Administrator period focus on meetings with the NASA Administrator, Headquarters staff and Center Directors, astronauts, members of Congress, the President and White House staff, governmental agencies, etc. Included are General Management Reviews, Program Reviews and Source Evaluation Boards. The Notes discuss such topics as planning and management of the agency, its centers, facilities, and programs, and activities and strategies for negotiating with Congress, the White House, other agencies, etc. During the Apollo Manager period, the Notes revolve around meetings with Manned Spacecraft Center senior and general staff, Headquarters Apollo Program Office personnel, astronaut crews, and contractors. Included are Program Reviews, Flight Readiness Reviews, Configuration Control Boards, Design Certification Reviews, and flight debriefings. While the Notes focus on the status of Apollo Spacecraft Program Office concerns (including schedules, weights, budgets, and anomalies), they include discussions of lunar surface operations, the Lunar Receiving Laboratory, and mission and center planning.

The complete set of chronologically arranged Personal Notes presents GML's frank view of his activities as NASA Deputy Administrator. Appended to each set of Notes are enclosures, such as correspondence, memoranda and meeting notes, which serve to amplify topics discussed in the Notes or to document unmentioned events. The Notes describe the varied issues and aspects of NASA organization, management, and program implementation, including such ongoing activities as: development of Congressional and international relations, definition of the Space Shuttle, negotiation of NASA's budget, and agency reorganization and long range planning. In addition, the Notes provide, in part, the thought process behind GML's decisions and actions, as well as his impressions of individuals, organizations, programs and events.

NASA Subject Files

Subseries C, NASA Subject Files (Boxes 71-96), is divided into Administrative and General Apollo Files, and Specific Flight Files, 1946-1982. Although these files focus on GML's three later positions with NASA, they contain a small amount of documentation of GML's years at NACA, his early positions at NASA headquarters, and post-1976 consultation with the agency. The Administrative and General Files, arranged alphabetically, include: files of a biographical nature, such as GML's appointments, personnel information, and resignation; materials relating to management activities, including executive recruitment and NASA organization; and files documenting specific issues of the Apollo program, such as fracture mechanics, Lunar Module vibration testing, and land landing. Of special note is a 1965 essay by GML stating his concern about the organization and some of the individuals involved in Mission Operations (Box 75 Folder 4). Specific Flight Files, organized chronologically by mission, contain a variety of reports, reviews, photographs and small subject files regarding flights from Gemini III to the Space Shuttle. Files of missions flown previous to Apollo 11 generally contain less material than more contemporary flights. Of special interest are materials documenting the development of the Space Shuttle, and GML's Apollo 8 "Special Notes" describing the decisions and timetable behind the circumlunar flight. Additional materials relating to specific flights are included in NASA Notes and Notebooks, Tours and Trips, and Collected Materials. A number of GML's subject files have also been retained by the NASA History Office in Washington, DC. (see Appendix E).

NASA Meeting Records

Subseries D, NASA Meeting Records (Boxes 97-110), 1968-1976, is divided into Apollo Reviews and Meeting Records, each arranged chronologically. The Apollo Reviews, containing a number of contractor reports, document only a small portion of the reviews which GML attended as Apollo Spacecraft Program Office Manager. The Meeting Records contain accounts of meetings which occurred primarily among NASA Headquarters staff during GML's appointment as Deputy Administrator. The files provide a sense of the decision-making and action-assigning network which operated at agency Headquarters. Appended to the Meeting Records is a miscellaneous "Think Group" file, documenting the 1971 meetings of key Headquarters staff which focused primarily on NASA objectives. Notes supplementing these and other meetings and reviews, are located in NASA Notes and Notebooks.

NASA Calendars

Subseries E, NASA Calendars (Boxes 110-113), provides fairly routine coverage of GML's activities through a nearly complete run of monthly and/or yearly volumes, 1964-1976. Although the calendars were kept primarily by GML's secretaries, they include annotations and notes by GML. The series of monthly calendars for 1966, while incomplete, contains notes from GML's tour of Latin America.

NASA Travel Vouchers

Subseries F, NASA Travel Vouchers (Boxes 113-115), contains generally routine chronologically arranged travel papers, 1963-1976. Included periodically are a small number of itineraries, correspondence, and agendas and notes from meetings with NASA centers and contractors. This subseries contains no papers for the first half of 1966.

NASA Tours and Trips

Subseries G, NASA Tours and Trips (Boxes 116-122), arranged in chronological order by date of trip, documents GML's international travels on NASA business from 1966 to 1975. Included are GML's 1966 tour of Latin America with astronauts Neil Armstrong and Richard Gordon; a number of trips to the Soviet Union to develop the diplomatic and technological cooperation necessary for the 1975 Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) flight; and trips to Africa and the Yucatan Peninsula to inspect NASA's cooperative satellite projects with the GARP Atlantic Tropical Experiment (GATE) and Jacques Cousteau's ship Calypso. Trip materials generally include GML's informative trip report and trip notes, which describe his activities as well as his impressions of countries and individuals.

NASA Speeches, Statements and Publications

Subseries H, NASA Speeches, Statements and Publications (Boxes 122-128), 1959-1976, is divided into three chronologically arranged sections: Statements Before Congressional Committees; Presentations, Speeches and Statements; and Publications and Miscellaneous Reports. Statements which GML, as Deputy Administrator, made before Senate and House committees revolve primarily around the NASA budget, space technology and applications, and specific NASA projects. Presentation and speech files contain GML's remarks at various dedications, conferences, seminars and meetings from 1959 to 1976. Appended to these files are small collections of press statements, and interviews which GML made 1967-1971. Publication files include materials relating to GML's authorship of articles and his chapter for the NASA publication, Apollo Expeditions to the Moon (1975).

NASA Awards, Honors and Ceremonies

Subseries I, NASA Awards, Honors and Ceremonies (Boxes 128-130), 1958-1977, contains chronologically arranged files documenting the awards and honorary degrees which GML received for his contributions to the Apollo program, aeronautics and astronautics, and government service. Also included are files for such ceremonies as an Apollo 11 post-mission dinner, and GML's NASA retirement party and portrait unveiling. NASA Collected Materials contain additional papers pertaining to awards, honors and events. Series VIII ARTIFACTS includes GML's Outstanding Leadership medal, and one of his Distinguished Service medals.

NASA Collected Materials

Subseries J, NASA Collected Materials (Boxes 130-138), 1959-1976, is divided into the chronologically arranged File of the Day, Scrapbooks, and Photograph Albums and Files. File of the Day, documenting GML's tenure as Deputy Administrator, is a continuation of the earlier Scrapbooks which cover the years 1959-1969. Both contain a variety of material collected by or sent to GML, such as photographs, programs, invitations, agendas, clippings, and miscellaneous correspondence. These files reflect GML's attendance at awards, dinners, conferences and other events, moments in his career at NASA, and the visits of numerous dignitaries to NASA facilities. While the Photograph Files contain further shots of these events, they also include series of photographs taken of Apollo hardware and testing results. Specific images in these files, and throughout the collection, may be located by using Appendix B. Photograph Index. This listing provides box and folder locations for images of individuals, events, and objects.

NASA Miscellaneous Papers

Subseries K, NASA Miscellaneous Papers (Box 138), 1958-1972, presents courses attended, early Apollo reports, etc.

Series V, LATER NASA PAPERS (Boxes 138-143)

LATER NASA PAPERS, 1976-1984, document GML's NASA consultation activities, and his continued general interest in agency management and programs. The Papers are divided into Correspondence, Reagan Transition Team Papers, and Miscellaneous Papers. The chronologically arranged Correspondence contains GML's comments on NASA reports and publications, collected materials sent and received, letters written on behalf of RPI students or alumni, and routine thank you's, congratulations, etc. In addition, correspondence files contain letters and meeting notes regarding efforts to define NASA's mission and future goals. The Transition Team Papers, comprised of reports and drafts, correspondence, background material, and miscellaneous files, reflect the Team's effort to assess NASA's problems, strengths and potentials for President-elect Reagan in 1980. Miscellaneous Papers contain a variety of alphabetically arranged subject files. Included are meeting files for Space Shuttle reviews and institutional assessment meetings which GML attended from 1977 to 1978. Additional materials relating to GML's continued NASA involvement may be found in NASA Subject Files, and Personal RPI Presidential Speech Files.

Series VI, PERSONAL RPI PRESIDENTIAL PAPERS (Boxes 143-148)

PERSONAL RPI PRESIDENTIAL PAPERS, 1976-1984, contain the more personal materials created by GML during his presidency of RPI. The Papers are divided into Correspondence, Calendars, Speeches and Statements, Awards and Honors, and Miscellaneous Papers. Correspondence contains primarily congratulatory letters received upon GML's acceptance of the Institute presidency. Additional RPI-related correspondence may also be found in Personal Correspondence, and NASA Chronological and Sensitive Chronological Files. Calendars provide routine coverage of GML's activities for the years 1979-1983. Although kept by GML's secretaries, the calendars provide a small number of annotations made by GML. Calendar entries for 1976 may be found in the NASA Calendar of that year. Speeches and Statements provide a chronological file of the speeches, lectures, remarks, etc. which GML made before the RPI community, and local and national institutions and organizations before 1982. Following these files is a small collection of press statements regarding RPI and technology issues. Awards and Honors contain honorary degrees and awards, filed chronologically. The alphabetically arranged Miscellaneous Papers present a variety of subject files, including courses attended and photographs. Additional personal presidential files of GML have, in accordance with Institute policy, been closed to researchers. These materials are not listed or described in this Guide.

Series VII, LIBRARY (Boxes 152-164 and shelved volumes)

The LIBRARY comprises works selected from the many volumes collected by GML during his student years at RPI, his career at NACA and NASA, and his presidency of the Institute. (Listings of volumes separated from the collection are located in Appendix D.) This series is divided into Annotated Volumes, and Publications and Reports. Within each section, materials are listed alphabetically by author, or by title when the author could not be identified. Of interest among the Annotated Volumes are a number a books which GML used during his RPI student years. Publications and Reports include works which it was judged would be difficult for the researcher to obtain: Soviet publications, NASA contractor reports, pre-publication drafts, etc.

Series VIII, ARTIFACTS (Boxes 165-172)

ARTIFACTS contain a variety of objects reflecting GML's careers at NASA and RPI. Items are organized into Models, Spacecraft Hardware, and Mementos. Models and Hardware were collected, investigated and used in presentations while GML was at NASA. Mementos include medallions, patches, paperweights, plaques, framed items, etc. which GML collected or received while at NASA and RPI.